Weibo (NASDAQ: WB), the Chinese social media giant often compared to Twitter, saw its stock soar 5.07% in pre-market trading on Thursday. This significant uptick comes on the heels of the company's impressive first-quarter financial results for 2025, which exceeded analyst expectations and showcased the success of its AI integration efforts.

The company reported quarterly revenue of $396.9 million, marking a 0.34% year-over-year increase and surpassing the analyst consensus estimate of $394.2 million. Weibo's adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 45 cents also outperformed market expectations of 38 cents. The strong financial performance was complemented by growth in user engagement, with monthly active users (MAUs) reaching 591 million in March 2025, up from 588 million a year ago, while average daily active users (DAUs) increased to 261 million from 255 million year-over-year.

A key driver of Weibo's success has been its focus on AI integration, particularly evident in the launch of Weibo Intelligent Search. This AI-powered search function has shown promising results, achieving significant sequential growth in both user base and daily search queries. CEO Gaofei Wang emphasized the company's commitment to enhancing product competitiveness through AI technology, which has not only improved user experience but also boosted ad placement efficiency. The positive earnings report, coupled with Weibo's strategic direction in embracing AI, has clearly resonated with investors, propelling the stock's notable pre-market rise.